Shockingly enough (apparently), early entry isn't a huge attraction for me. I'd like to go out early simply because I'm going to be unemployed and I'd rather go do some work than sit around on my ass in Portland for an extra week in August. I'd only be able to get there 1-1.5 weeks before the gate opens, so if that doesn't pan out.. that's okay.

Dr. Pyro wrote:Another suggestion is considering helping Robbiedobbs and the Pottie Project. She is both a member of the Rangers and DPW, but what she does is both unique and necessary. You can see a lot of Black Rock City while performing a very vital public service, one that cannot be overstated.

What's the Pottie Project all about?

JK

JKhttp://www.mudskippercafe.comWhen I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle.Then I realised that the Lord doesn't work that way so I stole one and asked Him to forgive me.

C187 wrote:Forget about EE and everything else you might of heard, and think about these three things.

1) Will you have more fun, and receive more over all enjoyment because you are volunteering at the event?

2) What skills do you have that you use in the real world that you enjoy?

3) If those skills are confined to a certain environment, then how would they apply to the department your thinking about joining? (allow yourself to draw non-conventional but realistic analogies to realistic but presumed situations that could happen)

Do those things and a laundry list departments will turn into a few in short order. Those are going to be the departments that you'll enjoy working in, and presumably the ones that will enjoy having you around.

---edit:Completely unrelated. But don't Rangers do training in Second Life as well? j/w

I'm not sure about SL...it may have been tried one year when that venue seemed like it mighjt be relevant some day.

I respectfully disagree or comment on some of your list above.

1. You generally might not know if your event will be more enjoyable by volunteering. Almost to a person, when non-Burners hear of my volunteer commitment they don't get it. And without fail, when they attend and first voluhteer, they each express...."Ok, now I get it. It's awesome to be connected to the event..." I don't think this is something you can know before ya do it. Most people initially do it so they give a little back to the event....just a shift or two for some group.

2. While real world skills are helpful and needed, don't let that deter you. If you are at the burn to get away from real life, feel free to volunteer doing something you've never done. If they'll take you, have at it! Too many people I've talked to say something like "Oh, i work all year, so last thing I want to do is go out there and work." But they're thinking volunteering is gonna be like their day job. Doesn't have to be even remotely like that. In many cases, it lets your alter ego run free for a shift!

LoR

The fox provides for himself, but God provides for the lion - W. Blake (attribution corrected)

psychoalpha wrote:Shockingly enough (apparently), early entry isn't a huge attraction for me. I'd like to go out early simply because I'm going to be unemployed and I'd rather go do some work than sit around on my ass in Portland for an extra week in August. I'd only be able to get there 1-1.5 weeks before the gate opens, so if that doesn't pan out.. that's okay.

Thats why many DPW go out. If thats not your first choice, there are art projects that will bo out early. Of course, work is involved. Can you list your skills or experience with building? It would help out greatly!

However, If you've never been to Black Rock, a week or few days early, may just fuck up your experience during the event. The playa will sap your strength if youre not careful.

And if you're the slightest bit curious, you can always do a work weekend with the DPW, to get a sample of what it's like.

one more question. there is a chance that kenman and i will get early entry passes too. Are there greaters out there on Saturday? I've been so looking forward to ringing the bell and just experiencing it all

When the only tool you got is a hammer, every problem looks like a hippie.

Mmmmmm I love the smell of Burning Man - Token

Getting overly dramatic about the ticket sale process is so 2012. - Maladroit

tamarakay wrote:one more question. there is a chance that kenman and i will get early entry passes too. Are there greaters out there on Saturday? I've been so looking forward to ringing the bell and just experiencing it all

Why cant I remember? I think they get started monday morning. If you really want the initiation, make playa angels in the dust, or ask someone to spank you! That was before the bell...

tamarakay wrote:one more question. there is a chance that kenman and i will get early entry passes too. Are there greaters out there on Saturday? I've been so looking forward to ringing the bell and just experiencing it all

tamarakay wrote:one more question. there is a chance that kenman and i will get early entry passes too. Are there greaters out there on Saturday? I've been so looking forward to ringing the bell and just experiencing it all

Delle - come on out to the Greeter's station during one of my shifts and I will be happy to get you right to work. It IS the best job on the playa. I will know what shifts I will have sometime in June - pm me then and I will give you my schedule. There is a Greeter's training manual online but I think it is currently down for editing.

Yes Greeters are most certainly fully operational 24/7 for days before opening - it is an essential part of getting theme camps to the right place and contacting their placement person to meet them there.

I'm a bit shamed to admit it, but since having signed up, I've been in to the Greeter's List, hoping to glean some more information and maybe introduce myself somehow, but the format in there has me totally befuddled.

No need to be ruffled. C.f.M. means that DPW and Rangers are more labor-intensive, so someone who just wants to "do something"--but doesn't know what that "something" is--would be better off taking a volunteer post that is shorter & easier.

(If you want your quoting of another poster to work, click on "Profile" top center, scroll down to "Preferences" and enable your BBCode.)